Blueberry Smoothie Recipe and More Berry Smoothie Recipes
The popularity of smoothies has been growing fast over the past several years and with this growth has come the emergence of some delicious flavors. People enjoy smoothies for many reasons including the health benefits, the convenience and of course, the taste! Whatever your reason for enjoying a great smoothie, trying a blueberry smoothie recipe will surely add to the experience. There are many ways to make blueberry smoothies, so it can be a fun and creative addition to your smoothie lineup.
The Benefits of Blueberry Smoothies
It is common knowledge that there are many health benefits associated with blueberries. Studies have shown that blueberries can help prevent things from cancer to Alzheimer’s and including them in a smoothie is a delicious and convenient way to incorporate them into any diet. Simply tossing a handful of blueberries into the blender with your normal smoothie ingredients will result in a great tasting, healthy drink. Blueberries can also be added to virtually any other flavored smoothie, resulting in a fun new taste. Anything from “banana-blueberry” to “blueberry-vanilla” will surely add some tasty variety to your day.
How to Make Berry Smoothies
Another common way to include blueberries in a smoothie is by using a general berry smoothie recipe. This type of smoothie will often include many different types of berries including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries. People can add or remove any type of berry they desire based on personal preference but the general idea is to get the great tastes and health benefits from all the types of berries and combine them into one great tasting berry smoothie recipe.
When sticking to strictly blueberry smoothie recipes without adding additional fruits or other flavorings, it is important to find the right amount of blueberries. Using well ripened blueberries is also key, as an over-ripe berry will give the smoothie a more sour taste while under ripened blueberries won’t be nearly flavorful enough and you also lose out on some of the key health benefits. Of course, the exact number of blueberries and how ripe they are will depend greatly on each person’s personal preference. Most people will want to experiment with their blueberry smoothie recipes until they achieve the combination that’s just right for their tastes.
One common question people encounter when making a blueberry smoothie is, “How to blend the ingredients?” Many people have found that blending all the ingredients other than the blueberries together first, then adding the blueberries in and blending for about 45 seconds is the best way. This prevents the blueberries from getting too liquefied and a lot of people prefer the taste.
Whatever your reasons for enjoying a great berry smoothie recipe, it is highly recommended by virtually all smoothie enthusiasts to try adding blueberries to the mix. The great flavor and powerful health benefits from these tiny little berries will add a new twist to your favorite healthy drink. Remember, there’s no limit on how to enjoy a great blueberry smoothie!
Berry Smoothie Recipes
Here are some great smoothie recipes involving blueberries and other berries. If you’re a berry lover, these are sure to become some of your ne favorites.
Blueberry Vanilla Citrus Smoothie
This recipe uses the subtle hint of citrus to bring the true flavors out of a great mix of blueberries and vanilla. The result is creamy, blueberry heaven!
Ingredients:
- ½ tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup of frozen or fresh blueberries
- 4 oz crushed ice
Directions:
Blend the blueberries, ice and yogurt together. Next, add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high for about half a minute. Give it a taste and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Ultimate Blueberry Smoothie
This blueberry smoothie recipe is always a crowd pleaser. It contains some subtle hints of flavor that really make it a unique and refreshing experience.
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas
- 8 oz vanilla yogurt (fat-free, if you like)
- 4 oz vanilla soymilk
- 2 handfuls (about 2/3 cup) of frozen or fresh blueberries
- 1.5 tsp honey
- 1.5 tsp flax seed meal
Directions:
First, cut up the bananas and blend them together with the soy milk and yogurt. After a few seconds of blending, add the rest of the ingredients except for the blueberries and blend on the low setting of your blender. It should only take several seconds to get a smooth consistency. Add the blueberries and gradually increase the blending speed for about 30 seconds.
Very Berry Smoothie
This one doesn’t include blueberries, but instead is made with the 2 other favorite berries – strawberries and raspberries! It’s a simple recipe you’re sure to love.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of crushed ice
- 3 tbsp white sugar
- 1 cup of milk (low-fat, if you prefer)
- 1 cup (about 5-8) frozen or fresh strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries
Directions
Put all the ingredients, except for the ice, into the blender and blend until the mixture is smooth. Then, add the ice and keep blending until the smoothie has reached the consistency you like to have. For extra creaminess, add 4 ounces of plain yogurt to the mix.